So yeah, lately I been buying a lot of games from Steam on the cheap , but most of them I can only play at 720p to get around 40fps. Only the low end 2D games I can play 60fps at 1080p.

In any case, my current GPU is a GT620. My budget is roughly RM600, and I would like something that should last me a few years (3 years at least). What I mean is, it should be able to play 1080p games at 60fps, at the lowest graphics settings. I don't play action-FPS games and generally those demanding ones. Mine are more "experience" games, or those like Dishonored, Deus Ex HR and Xcom. And lots of 2D platformers.

My current specs:

3GHz 3rd Gen Core i5
8GB RAM
21'' Samsung Syncmaster monitor

Cheers,

I appreciate your help! Never bought a GPU before for gaming purposes, but I figured since I already have a capable enough PC, and the fact games on Steam go on the cheap so often, I rather just get a better GPU than spend on a console.

PS: I have been looking at the GTX 650 and 660 cards. Would appreciate if you can talk about the different types of those GPUs there are, like clock speed, VRAM etc.

This post has been edited by contestchris: Jan 8 2014, 08:04 PM

I was reading some other similar threads on the sub-forum, and I see people mentioning additional power sources. Do I need any of that?

Also, can I confirm if my CPU and RAM is decent enough? I'm not really all that wise in that regards.

Mine is a stock Dell PC. I think model is 660Tower. I'm afraid to unscrew it cause well...I'm not smart in those things (yet).

Mine is 660. The fatter one.

Between GTX660 and the 650TI, which do you recommend? I was looking at benchmarks, and the 660 has a G3D score of 4500, and the 650TI 2600. Does it make much difference in real world gaming though?

Thanks!

Ok guys, I have one more question. I looked and did some searches, and I think a TI Boost GTX 650 it will be. But...what's the difference between the brands? Like Asus, Leadtek etc? Doesn't have any direct from nVidia? Why different prices? I see all are two GB.

The answer may be obvious to you guys, but not to me. So please help me out in understanding the differences.

So just to confirm, do I need to install additional fan systems to my PC? I see that these GPUs come with coolers...is that enough, or do I need to do something additional as well to cool down the overall system? If yes, how necessary is that?

Hey guys sorry for bumping this again. Do I have any option of a GPU if I do not want to buy a new power source for it?

Ok guys. My PSU is 300 watts.

To put in a GTX in there, do I need to upgrade or not?

Assuming I want a GTX650 TI Boost, what's my best course of action?

A quick look at the costs for the PSU will be good too.

Finally, do I need to take my desktop to the shops to get it fixed, or is a GPU/PSU easy to fix by myself?

I am also open to other cheaper GPUs even from AMD or anything else for a 300psu unit.

Ok guys I did my own research. It seems the best I can get is a GT640. Found a guy selling it cheap here on Lowyat. I play mostly 2D games so it should suffice for now.

According to Dell site, the PC supports GT640 with no additional PSU. Has been tested.

However, that version is 900mHz non-OC. The one I am getting is slightly OC to 940mHz. Is this effect on the power output minimal, or noticeable? Do you think I shouldn't get it as a result?

I just need answer to this: If you OC your GPU will it increase the TDP and watts required? By how much?

According to nVidia website, max TDP for the normal 900Mhz version is 65watts. But I see that the OC version by MSI also states 65watts for the TDP. Is this possible? The OC is 940Mhz.

Ok I understand. I know the performance increase is negligible.

But what about power consumption increase? Do you think it will also be negligible? Or still 65 watts TDP? Or maybe goes to 75 or 80 watts?

No, as in it has no effect OR it has effect?

I know, but it is around 3 times better than my GT620 in two separate benchmark scores I have seen. My GT620 is also actually fine enough for now for 2D games, and I rarely if ever play 3D games. Just want something that bit better.

Depends, in the very simple 2D games, zero lag. In the more intense 2D games with bloom effects for example, or in 2.5d games (sidescrolling but with 3D-ish backgrounds), I do have lag and sometimes need to even go down to 1366x768 to play at decent framerate.

In any case, my CPU should not be a problem for the foreseeable future as I have a 3rd gen Core i5 and also 8GB ram.

I decided not to get a new PSU. Also the Dell Inspiron 660 (mini tower) has a very closed design so heat flow would be a problem. So it's either I stick with my GT620 or get a cheap GT640 that is in benchmark terms around 3 times better than what I have now.

Actually I just saw the GTX 750/750 TI. They just need 55 and 60 watts respectively. Which is amazing. And the cost is RM380 and RM500 respectively (rough US conversion).

So, basically, this should mean I can now have a high end GPU w/o needing a new PSU!

Also, does this signify that all new nVidia cards will be low-powered ones? Man, it's exciting!

This post has been edited by contestchris: Feb 24 2014, 01:07 AM

If I get, I'll get the GTX 750 only (perhaps the super-clocked version by EVGA).

Speaking of that, what are the negative side effects of choosing the super-clocked version (factory make) over the reference design model?

Super-clocked: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00IDG3LUO/
Reference: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00IDG3NDY

Will it greatly affect temperatures, fan noise levels etc? Also, does the TDP increase in such cases? The reference model has a TDP of 55 watts....will the SC version have more? Like I said, I only have a 300 watts PSU but I have heard from many people GPUs up to 75 watts TDP rating should be able to run on my PC with no issues.

On the EVGA website, it simply says the versions with the ACX cooler have 25 watts more power, but nothing about the normal super-clocked version is mentioned. http://www.evga.com/articles/00821/#2757

Please do advice me on this.

PS: Alse, when I tried to buy from Amazon, the shipping is quite costly and they are using a RM3.49 = 1 USD conversion rate instead of RM3.34 = 1 USD. Why?

This post has been edited by contestchris: Feb 24 2014, 11:30 AM